Adil Najam
For much of Pakistan’s history, Habib Jalib was a voice of rebellion. Often an angry voice, but always an honest voice. He wrote in the idiom of the people and the jalsa was as much a platform for his poetry as was the mushaira. He often wrote in the idiom of anger. But that idiom was a function of his subject matter – Pakistan’s beleagured politics.
Jalib was a poet at heart but a political worker at heart. He was not only prepared to say what he believed to be right, but was willing to be beaten up for it (see picture below). He became a national figure with his poem Dastoor which was about Ayub Khan’s tailor-made ‘constitution’ and later with his support for Fatima Jinnah’s campaign against Ayub Khan:
Aisay dastoor ko
Subh-e-baynoor ko
Mein naheen manta
Mein naheen janta
During the Zia-ul-Haq era, his verses again became a popular anthem for those who opposed dictatorship:
Sar sar ko saba, zulmat ko Zia
banday ko khuda, kya likhnaa
He died in 1993, but one has no doubt that if alive he would be on the streets protesting today. He was jailed by Ayub Khan, by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, by Zia ul Haq, and although he was released during the first Benazir Bhutto government, he was no less honest in his assessment of her performance:
Haal ab tak wahi hain ghareeboan kay
Din phiray hain faqat waziroan kay
maqrooz hai daise ka her Bilawal
paoon nangay hain Benazeeroan kay
We have featured the political poetry of Faraz and Faiz here in prior installments of ATP Mushaira, I wondered what Habib Jalib might have to say about what is happening in Pakistan today. I did not have to wonder long, this long-time champion had both foretold and fore-commented on these long before they actually happened.
His call to protest, even in the face of brutality and beatings, is best summarized in his famous movie song (sung by Mehdi Hassan to Rashid Atray’s music from the film Zarqa):
More poignant is this recording form a Mushaira, Jalib bazaban-i-Jalib:
ba-har-aalam Khuda ka shukr keeji-aye, unn ka kehna haiN
khatta kartaiN haiN hum jo shikwa-i-taqdeer kartaiN haiNhumarey dard ka Jilib madaawa hou nahiN sakta
keh harr qatil ko chaara-garr say hum taabir kartay haiN
FInally, here a recording that includes an interview with him and some of his most poignant works. Including the all-time great poem Dastoor (Mein nahin Manta).
Phool shakhooun pay khilnay lagay, tum kaho
Jaam rindoun ko milnay lagay, tum kaho
Chaak seenoun kay silnay lagay, tum kaho
Iss khulay jhoot ko, zehn ki loot ko
Mein nahin jaanta, mein nahin maanta
Also of note is the Likhna verses for current relevance:
Virsay mein humain, yeh gham hai milla
iss gham ko naya, kiya likhna
Jalib saab was the voice of the voiceless, the man of the masses and he stood tall always. The people of Pakistan should take cue from such a hero who never bowed, Pakistan misses him dearly for another Jaliob will never be born.
Dear Dr. Najam,
a small correction:
One of the misra from his qat`a on Benazir should read :
‘Her Bilawal hay dais ka maqrooz’
Watan Aziz
The comparison between the two poets is difficult. Iqbal’s poetry is at another level and seeks to address higher questions as well as some earthly concerns.
Jalib was a poet of the masses and a communicator par excellence. This is why his diction is simple and easy to relate to – but this is not to say that he was a poet of lesser merit.
His vision was pretty close to people’s aspirations: redistribution of wealth and resources (like land), a people’s democracy (as opposed to an elitist system of government) and justice for all.
This is a classic poem that also says a lot on what he thought to be the meaning of Pakistan:
Roti, kapda aur dawa
Ghar rehne ko chhota sa
Muft mujhe talim dila
Mein bhi Musalmaan hoon wallah
Pakistan ka matlab kya
La Ilaha Illalah
I have had the pleasure and honour of an exclusive recital of Jalib with a couple of friends in attendance.
Heraing the kalaam after such a long time bought memories back.
It would take a couple of Zia cum Musharrafs combined to invoke a Jalib in this century.
Naseer
Well, I have to admit, I come from Iqbal’s corner.
And I will also admit my general ignorance of (about) Habib. And the best I know of him is from this forum, which seems to be brimming with his fans.
So, help me get to know him better by raising a question and a compare / contrast with Iqbal.
Does the voice of protest need to be accompanied with an answer or a solution? The sampling I have here is of protest; a vital exercise in a community so that they can breath. But does not Iqbal present a problem with a greater sense of purpose and direction?
We can (and should) protest, but if it not presented with a positive solutions, a sense of uplifting, a sense of direction; have we accomplished much, except for having a ‘feel good’ feelings?
If anyone can introduce me to the solutions Habib has offered, along with his strong voice of protest, I will be much obliged.
Pakistan Zindabad
Pakistan Pa’indabad